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Cannabis withdrawal among Indigenous inmates in north Queensland

Reach:

QLD

Focus area:

Indigenous

Status:

Completed

Evaluated:

No

Time frame:

1 January 2012 - 1 December 2014

Overview

In north Queensland (Qld), Indigenous communities have high rates of cannabis use and dependence. Preliminary data from Cape York show that 53% of males and 23% of females aged 16-40 years are using cannabis, considerably higher than seen in the general Australian population. Cannabis use is associated with criminal offending and incarceration, and evidence suggests that 'stressing out' occurs when cannabis is not available or upon entry to prison, and can lead to violence and intimidation. Preliminary data suggests that the 'stressing out' experience represents symptoms of cannabis withdrawal, a recognised consequence of cannabis dependence. Withdrawal-related suffering is of social and clinical significance, particularly as it may represent a barrier to reducing cannabis use.

In this study, cannabis withdrawal symptoms will be investigated in new Indigenous male inmates at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, and new Indigenous female inmates at Townsville Womens Correctional Centre, in north Qld. The study aims to:

validate a culturally relevant Indigenous cannabis withdrawal scale

use this scale to document the onset, time course, and severity of withdrawal symptoms in 50 Indigenous male and 50 Indigenous female inmates aged 18-40 years who were dependent cannabis users before incarceration

The development, delivery, and uptake of resources will be evaluated using process evaluation. This study has potential for significant benefits for Indigenous people in Qld's prisons and remote communities. The study will address an unmet need for support to help manage withdrawal symptoms in Indigenous individuals, as well as provide much-needed data on mental health impacts of heavy cannabis use in this population. The proposed research will also develop a culturally-validated measure to assess cannabis withdrawal, which is critical to enhance prison screening and to develop targeted community-based interventions.